A Break in the Action

Ryan Doughty
  • 4.9 (105)
  • Sports
  • Updated Monthly

Our days are busy. Professional, family and personal obligations fill our schedules. You’re invited to take A Break in the Action of your day and escape to a place filled with sights of highly figured walnut and rich, vibrant case-color hardening. Intoxicating scents of wood smoke from a perfectly laid fire and spent shotshells fill the air. The only deals we broker are for new-to-us shotguns and our only appointments are for chilly mornings and impatient bird dogs. Here, our currency is memories and we consider ourselves wealthy.   The goal here is simple, to provide a place to escape, a place to learn, a place to reminisce, and a place to relax - be it through our podcast or social sites. Our focus will reliably be on vintage and modern shotguns, best-in-quality gear, accessories, and experiences that complement the sporting lifestyle. Our days are busy… take A Break in the Action.

  1. 6h ago

    From Rolex to Rizzini: How a watch enthusiast found wingshooting

    What do fine shotguns and mechanical watches have in common?  It turns out, quite a lot. In this episode, Ryan sits down with Christian Zeron, founder of Theo & Harris and one of the most recognizable voices in the world of mechanical watches. Christian recently found himself drawn into an entirely new pursuit: hunting, wingshooting, and the sporting life. Together they discuss Christian's introduction to hunting, what he thought hunters were like before he became one, and the surprising realities he discovered after entering the community. They explore why so many watch enthusiasts seem drawn toward fine shotguns, the importance of mentorship and tradition, and how social media can introduce new audiences to hunting and shooting sports. The conversation also ventures into collecting, craftsmanship, family, heritage, and the objects we choose to keep for a lifetime. And then things get interesting. Ryan and Christian attempt to answer a question that has been months in the making: If the world's great shotgun makers were watchmakers, who would they be? Whether you're passionate about watches, shotguns, both, or neither, this episode is ultimately about something bigger: discovering meaningful pursuits, finding community, and preserving traditions worth passing along. Guest: Christian Zeron, Theo & Harris Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Griffin and Howe Castellani USA Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

    1h 22m

  2. Jun 12

    Is the 12 gauge dead?

    For more than a century, the 12 gauge has been the default answer in the shotgun world. It was the gauge that did everything—quail, pheasants, waterfowl, rabbits, and just about anything else a hunter might pursue. But today, sub-gauges are more popular than ever. Twenty gauges, twenty-eights, and even .410s have developed devoted followings, leaving some hunters to wonder: has the 12 gauge become more gun than most of us actually need? Joining me to explore that question is Gregg Elliott of Dogs and Doubles. Gregg is a dedicated grouse and woodcock hunter, student of vintage shotguns, and unapologetic advocate for the 12 gauge. Along the way, our conversation drifts well beyond gauge selection. We discuss why lightweight 12 gauges may be among the most underrated upland guns ever built, how modern ammunition has changed the conversation, the economics of vintage shotgun collecting, whether marketing has influenced the popularity of sub-gauges, and why some classic British and American 12 gauges represent tremendous value in today's market. We also dive into gun fit, barrel dimensions, stock design, and one of the strangest—and most interesting—Greener shotguns I've ever seen. Whether you're a dedicated sub-gauge enthusiast or firmly in the 12-gauge camp, this is an enjoyable conversation about shotguns, bird hunting, and the enduring appeal of a gauge many hunters may have overlooked too quickly. Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Griffin and Howe Castellani USA Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

    53 min

  3. May 18

    The Traveling Wingshooter: Building The Ultimate Bird Hunting Rig

    In this episode of A Break in the Action, Ryan takes listeners inside the process of building what he believes is the ultimate modern bird hunting rig (for the way he hunts) — not as a showcase of gear for gear’s sake, but as a thoughtful system shaped by years of traveling to hunt upland birds with dogs. From choosing the right platform and topper to organizing equipment with a DECKED drawer system, Dakota 283 kennels, and modular storage solutions, this episode explores how comfort, simplicity, organization, and dog safety ultimately became the guiding principles behind the build. Along the way, Ryan reflects on the realities of long highway miles, changing weather, hunting camps, early mornings, and the countless small details that shape life on the road during bird season. But this episode is about more than just trucks and equipment. It’s really a conversation about the traveling wingshooter lifestyle itself — the routines, systems, and lessons that slowly develop after enough seasons chasing birds across the country. Ryan also discusses transporting and caring for dogs during long trips, managing heat and cold, water storage lessons learned the hard way, and why consistency matters so much when traveling with bird dogs. Whether you hunt from a truck, SUV, trailer, or something entirely different, this episode is intended less as a blueprint to copy and more as an invitation to rethink your own approach to life on the road during bird season. In this episode: RSI SmartCap Decked Dakota 283 Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Griffin and Howe Castellani USA Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

    49 min

  4. May 11

    A Sporting Weekend at The Preserve

    In this episode of A Break in the Action, Ryan travels to western Rhode Island to experience one of America’s most unique sporting destinations: The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences. More than simply a luxury resort with outdoor activities, The Preserve is a true sporting-first destination built around driven pheasant shoots, walked-up upland hunting, sporting clays, fly fishing, fine guns, and life outdoors. Ryan shares his firsthand impressions from several days on the property, including a memorable driven shoot, a morning afield for chukar and quail, and time spent exploring the incredible on-site retail experience at The Sporting Shoppe. Ryan is joined by owner Paul Mihailides for an in-depth conversation about the philosophy behind The Preserve, conservation efforts across the property, the importance of thoughtful design and hospitality, and how the sporting lifestyle can be made approachable for families and newcomers alike. The two also dive into fine shotguns, premium sporting brands, and the remarkable gunroom that has made The Sporting Shoppe a destination in its own right. If you enjoy conversations centered around sporting travel, upland hunting, fine guns, and best-in-class outdoor experiences, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. In this episode: The Preserve The Sporting Shoppe FAMARS USA Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Griffin and Howe Castellani USA Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

    1h 6m

  5. Apr 14

    American Bests

    When people hear the phrase American Best, it’s natural to think of a comparison— specifically to the traditional best guns of the London trade. And in some ways, that comparison makes sense. The British defined the term. They built the guns that set the standard, and their influence still shapes how we think about fine sporting arms today. But the more time you spend studying American doubles, the more you realize that comparison only goes so far. American gunmakers weren’t working in the same world.  They built for different customers, different markets, and different expectations. Their guns came from factories, not small London shops. They were sold from catalogs, not fitting rooms. And they were designed to be used hard in the field—not just admired for their craftsmanship. And yet, when those same makers set out to build their very best—when they pushed their designs, their materials, and their workmanship to the highest level—they produced shotguns that stand with anything made in their time. Not copies of London best guns or substitutes for them, but distinctly American answers to the same challenge. In this episode, we explore what American Best really means through the lens of five legendary makers: L.C. Smith, Parker Brothers, A.H. Fox, Ithaca, and Lefever—and the different paths each one took to define excellence in their own way. Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Griffin and Howe Castellani USA Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

    58 min

  6. Mar 15

    Forgotten British Gunmakers with Simon Reinhold

    In this episode of A Break in the Action, I sit down with Simon Reinhold of Holt’s Auctioneers for a deep dive into the history of the British gun trade and the remarkable craftsmen whose names have faded from common conversation. While makers like Purdey, Holland & Holland, and Boss are widely recognized today, the development of the modern sporting shotgun was shaped by dozens of inventors, provincial makers, and trade specialists whose work laid the foundation for everything that followed. Together, Simon and I discuss the extraordinary burst of innovation that took place in the second half of the nineteenth century. Along the way, the conversation turns to the enduring appeal of these lesser-known guns, how to recognize quality craftsmanship even when the name on the rib isn’t familiar, and why many of these makers deserve a second look from modern shooters and collectors. This episode is both a historical overview and a reminder that the story of fine gunmaking is far bigger than the handful of famous names most of us know. In this episode: Holt's Auctioneers Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries House of Bruar B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Griffin and Howe Castellani USA Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

    1h 38m

  7. Mar 9

    Reviving a London Gunmaking Legend: Frederick Beesley

    In this episode, I sit down with Bradley Davis of The London Gun Company to explore the legacy and revival of Frederick Beesley—one of the most influential yet often overlooked figures in British gunmaking. From Beesley’s groundbreaking self-opening action to the careful resurrection of his name in a new line of bespoke shotguns, this conversation examines heritage, craftsmanship, and what it means to carry a historic London gunmaking tradition forward today.  In this episode: Frederick Beesley Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Griffin and Howe Castellani USA Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

    42 min

  8. Feb 28

    The Story behind the Stories: Shooting Sportsman magazine

    I’ve been reading Shooting Sportsman for more than twenty years. For a long time, I assumed the magazine was the product of careful planning by fully staffed departments and committees responsible for long-range strategies mapped decades into the future. But the more I’ve learned about the people behind it, the more I’ve realized something else entirely. What exists between the covers of Shooting Sportsman today is the result of good judgment and of restraint. Of primarily two individuals willing to move slowly, trust their instincts, and protect a standard—even when faster, louder options were available. Today, I’m joined by those two individuals: Ralph Stuart and Thierry Bombeke. Between them, they’ve seen the magazine grow, thrive, struggle as the digital age emerged, recover, and then hold its ground and grow again while nearly everything around it changed. This episode won’t be a highlight reel but instead a rare look behind the curtain. A conversation about how decisions get made when taste and business might not always agree. About what it means to care for something long enough that it becomes less about ownership—and more about stewardship. In this episode: Shooting Sportsman Our Sponsors: The Beretta Galleries B&P Shotshells Delaney & Sons Negrini Cases Guyette and Deeter Griffin and Howe Castellani USA Have a comment or suggestion? Text Ryan now! (please note: this messenger does not allow for replies) Support the show

    1h 2m
See All (72)

4.9
out of 5
105 Ratings

About

Our days are busy. Professional, family and personal obligations fill our schedules. You’re invited to take A Break in the Action of your day and escape to a place filled with sights of highly figured walnut and rich, vibrant case-color hardening. Intoxicating scents of wood smoke from a perfectly laid fire and spent shotshells fill the air. The only deals we broker are for new-to-us shotguns and our only appointments are for chilly mornings and impatient bird dogs. Here, our currency is memories and we consider ourselves wealthy.   The goal here is simple, to provide a place to escape, a place to learn, a place to reminisce, and a place to relax - be it through our podcast or social sites. Our focus will reliably be on vintage and modern shotguns, best-in-quality gear, accessories, and experiences that complement the sporting lifestyle. Our days are busy… take A Break in the Action.

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Doughty
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 A Break in the Action, LLC
  • Show Website
    A Break in the Action

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